Foldable door with hollow double hinge



Feb. 1, 1966 G. E. DIXON FOLDABLE DOOR WITH HOLLOW DOUBLE HINGE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1963 Guy E Dixon INVENTOR.

Feb. 1, 1966 e. E. DIXON FOLDABLE DOOR WITH HOLLOW DOUBLE HINGE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 28, 1963 Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Guy E Dixon INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,232,333 FQLDABLE DUQR WB'TH HGLLGW BUBBLE HENGEGuy E. Dixon, 1096 17th St, Hialeah, Fla. Filed Mar. 28, 193, Ser. No.263,785 6 Uaims. (Cl. 160-183) The present invention generally relatesto a folding door construction and more particularly a door with ahollow double hinge. The structure disclosed in this applicationrepresents certain novel improvements and modifications of thatdisclosed in co-pending application Serial No. 44,437, filed July 21,1960, for Folding Door With Flexible loint, now Patent No. 3,131,753,issued May 5, 19-64.

The folda'ble door with the hollow double hinge relates particularly tothat type of folding door constructed of a plurality of verticallyelongated rigid panels having flexible hinge means interconnecting theadjacent edges of the panels so that the panels may be folded into whatis termed a shallow accordion fold when the door is in extended orclosed position. The flexible hinge also enables the panels to bedisposed in side-by-side engaging or stacked relation when the door isin collapsed or opened condition. The flexible hinge structure forms acontinuous joint between the panels and also specifically provides acomplete seal between adjacent panels for eliminating the passage ofair, light and sound through the door panel. Accordingly, it is anobject of the present invention to provide a foldable door with animproved flexible hinge which not only accomplishes all of the necessaryfunctions mentioned above but in addition provides a joint which isquite attractive in appearance and also serves to protect the edges ofthe panels when they are in stacked side-byside face-to-face relationinasmuch as the flexible hinge of the present invention will completelycover the edges of the panels when they are in their folded or collapsedposition.

It is another very import-ant object of the present inveition to providea flexible hinge which includes a hollow area with the inner wall of thehollow area forming one hinge and the outer wall of the hollow area, ineffect, forming a second hinge thereby forming a double hollow hinge.The hinge is preferably constructed of a plastic material having memorycharacteristics such that when the hinge is formed, it has a naturaltendency to return to the position and condition in which it was formed.

.Thus, by forming the hinge so that it normally tends to unfold orextend the door to the shallow accordion orientation of the panels, theclosing movement of the door will be facilitated and aided by the memorycharacteristics of the plastic. However, such memory characteristicswill not in and of itself overcome the friction of the supportingmechanism for the door, such as an overhead track or the like, therebyenabling the door to be orientated in either the closed or open positionand have the door retain the position in which it was set but yet enablethe memory characteristics of the plastic to aid in the closing movementof the door from the folded relationship of the panels to the shallowaccordion relationship of the panels.

.as adhesive or the like may be employed for securely retaining theflanges in position. I This is a decided improvement over priorconstructions which employed a 3,232,333 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 flangehaving an enlarged bead on the free end thereof thus requiring that thegroove be enlarged at the bottom or inner edge thereof. Further, theflexible hinge serves to limit the unfolding movement of the door bothdue to the fact that the memory characteristics of the plastic materialfrom which the hinge is formed serves to limit the opening movement orat least resist the opening movement of the panels and also, the opposedwall structures of the double hinge would ultimately come into contactwith each other for further forming limit means for the panels so thatthe panels could not possibly fold to a position beyond an angularrelationship which approaches 189 degrees insofar as the included anglebetween the attaching flanges is concerned.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a foldingdoor construction which is simple in construction, easy to assemble,relatively inexpensive to manufacture and long lasting while still beingrelatively easy to maintain in operative condition.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top sectional view illustrating a portion of a fold-abledoor having the double hollow hinge of the present inventionincorporated therein;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the orientation ofthe hinge and the panels when in the fol-ding position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating thepanels in their unfolded or shallow accordion relationship;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of the flexible hinge employedbetween adjacent panels;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of hinge;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the hinge of FIG- URE 5 in extendedposition;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the hinge structure of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of another form of hinge structure;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the construction of FIGURE 8 in extendedposition; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIGURE 8.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the flexible hinge strip of the present inventionincorporated into a folding panel door in which the panels aredesignated by reference numeral 12 and are of rigid wood construction.As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a multiple of panels are interconnected by aplurality of hinge strips 10 with the number of panels 12 beingdependent upon the width of the opening to be closed by the foldingdoor. As illustrated, one edge of the folding door assembly is connectedto a door jamb 14 by virtue of a flexible strip 16 secured in place bywooden strips 18 and a screw threaded fastener 20. The particular mannerof connection with the door jarnb 14 forms no part of the presentinvention. The panels 12 are preferably constructed of wood or othersuitable rigid material having substantially flat planar surfaces andalso flat vertical side edges 22. Extending into each edge 22; of eachpanel 12 is a continuous longitudinal groove or slot 24 which is ofconstant width throughout the depth thereof with the side walls of thegroove or slot 24 being in parallel spaced relation to each other andspaced an equal distance from the inner and outer surfaces of the panel12.

The double hollow hinge is also preferably constructed of a flexiblematerial such as vinyl plastic material having memory characteristics.The hingle 10 is in the form of a continuous strip which extends fromthe top to the bottom edges of the panel 12 and which forms a; effectiveseal for the juncture between adjacent panels 1 The double hollow hingeincludes a normally flat inner wall 26 having a dimensional Widthsubstantially equal to the combined thickness of two panels 12 when theyare disposed in face-to-face folded relationship as illustrated inFIGURE 2. An outer flexible wall 28 is disposed normally in spacedparallel relation to the inner wall 26 with the outer wall 28 beingshorter in width than the inner wall 26 as ilustratcd in FIGURE 2.interconnecting the edges of the walls 26 and 28 is a pair of side walls30 which include an inner portion 32 perpendicular to the wall 26 andextending a minor portion of the distance between the wall 26 and thewall 28. Extending integrally from the perpendicular portion 32 is anarcuately curved portion 34 having a concave external surface and aconvex internal surface which joins the edge of the wall 28 with theouter edge of the perpendicular portion 32 of the side wall 30. Thearcuately curved portion 34 forms an attractive finish to the hinge andalso serves as a rigidifying area for defining the areas in which thehinge will flex or bend when the panels 12 are unfolded into theiraccordion relationship illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Integral with the inner wall 26 is a pair of spaced and normallyparallel attaching flanges, wings or tabs 36 which have a thicknessslightly less than the width of the grooves 24 and which are normallyspaced apart a distance so that the flanges 36 are parallel to eachother when the grooves or slots 24 are parallel to each other with thepanels 12 in face-to-face folded condition. The flanges 36 arelongitudinally continuous and each surface of each flange 36 is providedwith a plurality of longitudinally continuous ribs or flutes 38 whichare inclined towards the wall 26. Thus, the flutes or ribs 38 will serveto retain the flanges 36 in the slots or grooves 24 but due to theirinclination, the flanges may be readily pushed into the grooves or slots24. While the ribs or flutes 38 are suflicient to hold the flanges inthe grooves, a suitable adhesive or other bonding agent may be employedfor permanently securing the flanges in the slots.

When the door panels 12 are moved from their folded position illustratedin FIGURE 2 to their accordion shaped unfolded position illustrated inFIGURE 3, there is a double hinge action in that the wall 26 hinges orbends adjacent the center thereof into substantially a convex innersurface and a concave central outer surface. The outer wall 28 bows orflexes outwardly into an arcuate configuration with a convex outersurface and a concave inner surface. Also, the arcuate curved portionsof the side walls 39 bend to form a more exaggerated curvature and theportions 32 of the side walls 30 are inclined outwardly slightly inrelation to the wall 26. Thus, in this configuration, the panels 12 arenormally disposed and retained in their side-by-side folded relation bythe double hollow hinge 10 but when the door is moved to unfoldedcondition, the double hollow hinge will be deformed in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 3 so that the memory characteristics of theplastic material from which the hinge is constructed will urge thepanels 12 back to their folded condition for retaining the door in theopen or stacked position alongside of the door jamb 14.

As clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2, the hinge completely covers theedges of the panels 12 thus protecting such edges from any damage due tocontact with other devices such as furniture and the like. Also, whenthe door is folded, a very attractive side edge effect is provided forthe door and also when the door is unfolded, the joint between thepanels will be a neat curved surface and the hinge will form aneffective seal throughout the length thereof.

FIGURES 5-7 of the drawings disclose a modified form of hinge stripgenerally designated by numeral 40 for interconnecting adjacent rigidpanels 42 having grooves 44 extending inwardly from the edge thereof andterminating in an enlarged channel or passage 46 at the inner edgethereof.

The hinge strip 4%) includes a hollow tubular member 48 of generallyoval shaped configuration with the major axis thereof extending parallelto the adjacent edges of the panels 42 when the panels are disposedalongside of each other as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Thus, the hollowmember 48 may be considered to have an outer wall 50 and an inner wall52 interconnected by arcuate edge portions 54. The outer wall 50 isslightly thicker than the inner Wall 52 and is provided with laterallyoutwardly projecting wings 56 at the two upper corners thereof at thejuncture of the upper wall 50 and the end portions 54. The wings 56 areof unitary construction with the tubular member 45 and extend laterallyoutwardly and also generally in an inclined manner as illustrated inFIGURE 5. The inner wall 52 is provided with a pair of Wings or flanges58 integral therewith with the inner end of each flange 58 having aV-shaped bead or enlargement 60 thereon for reception in the passageway46 thereby enabling the flanges 58 to be inserted through the slot 44during which the diverging edges of the V-shaped bead 60 fold againstthe flange 58 so that the head 69 may enter the enlarged passage 46whereby the V-shaped flanges then will be permitted to move outwardlyinto diverging relation for locking the wings or flanges 58 to thepanels 42 without necessitating the use of glue or any other suitablebonding means.

Also, the tubular member 48 is provided with a pair of outwardlyextending tapered flaps or wings 62 outwardly of the wings 58 with theflaps or wings 62 being continuous and tapered outwardly into a pointwhich engages the outer corner edges of the panels 42 as illustrated inFIGURE 5 when the panels 42 are in their stored sideby-side condition.When the panels 42 are moved outwardly into shaliow accordionconfiguration, the flaps or wings 62 flex and slide over the outercorner of the panels 42 as illustrated in FIGURE 6 thereby forming ahighly effective seal for the space between the panels.

FIGURES S-10 disclose another modified form of hollow double hinge forconnecting panels 72 together in the same manner as the panels 42 areconnected together. The double hinge '79 includes a hollow member 74including an outer wall 76 and an inner wall 78 spaced from each otherand connected together with curved end walls 80. The outer wall 76 isslightly thicker than the inner wall and is provided with projectingedge portions or wings 82 and the outer surface of the wall 76 isslightly concave in normal orientation with the panels 72 disposedalongside of each other. Each panel 72 is provided with a groove or slot84 extending thereinto and terminating in an enlarged groove or passage86 which receives V- shaped beads 88 on the inner edges of a pair ofWings 9%) which are forced into the grooves 84 whereupon the beads 86then expand and are locked in the passageways 86. The inner surface ofthe outer wall 76 is generally parallel to the inner surface of theinner wall '78 when the panels 72 are in their stacked condition therebyforming an open space with the inner and outer walls forming hinge axeswhen the panels 72 are folded apart which will tend to curve the walls76 and 78 thereby forming two pivot axes for the panels 72. The tubularmember 74 is provided with a pair of projecting flaps 92 extendingthroughout the length thereof and being tapered in configuration forslidingly engaging the outer corners of the panels '72 thereby formingan effective sealing strip.

As illustrated, various shapes may be employed as long as the doublehinge assembly is employed with the hinge strip being hollow inconstruction and preferably constructed of plastic material as describedin connection with FIGURES 1-4. Also, various manners of insertion ofthe flanges or wings into the edge of the wood may be employed forrendering the device less expensive to manufacture and less damage tothe panels due to complete covering thereof. Inasmuch as the edges ofthe panels are completely covered during all positions of the panels,there is no necessity of finishing the edges of the panels In fact, woodof a less costly character may now be employed in the edges of thepanels since the edges are not finished and are not exposed. The flapsserve an effective seal which operates at all times and the thickenedouter wall illustrated in FIGURES 5-10 serves to more forcibly resistpivotal movement of the outer wall into a concave configuration or intoa more convex configuration depending upon the type of double hingeused.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panelsdisposed in edge-to-edge relation, each side edge of each panel having alongitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacentside edges of the panels, said hinge strip extending throughout thelength of the panels, said hinge strip including a flexible wallengaging the edges of the panels, and a pair of flanges projecting fromthe fall in substantially perpendicular relation thereto andtelescopically received in said grooves, said hinge strip also includingedge walls formed integral with the flexible wall and spaced from eachother, an outer Wall interconnecting the outer ends of the side edgewalls With the outer wall being disposed generally in parallel spacedrelation to the flexible wall thereby cooperating with the edge walls todefine a hollow hinge strip whereby the outer wall will bow outwardywhen the portions of the flexible wall engaging the edges of the panelsare disposed in acute angular relation to each other.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said side Walls of thehinge strip include a portion perpendicular to the flexible wall and anarcuate portion connected to the outer wall thereby defining side limitsfor the hinge strip when being deformed for assuring that the outer wallwill flex outwardly in relation to the edges of the panels.

3. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panelsdisposed in edge-to-edge relation, each side edge of each panel having alongitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacentside edges of the panels, said hinge strip extending throughout thelength of the panels, said hinge strip including spaced inner and outerwalls, the inner wall having a pair of flanges received in said grooves,end wall portions interconnecting the edges of the inner and outer wall,said outer wall extending laterally outwardly beyond the end 6 wallportions for rigidifying the strip, said strip including a pair ofprojecting flaps disposed exteriorly of the flanges and in divergingrelation thereto, said flaps being in contacting engagement with theouter corner edges of the panels in all positions of the panels wherebythe edges of the panels are continuously concealed.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each flap is tapered outwardly tofacilitate flexing thereof when the panels are extended into shallowaccordion relation.

5. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panelsdisposed in edge to edge relation, each side edge of each panel having alongitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacentside edges of the panels, said hinge strip including a body havingspaced inner and outer surfaces, a pair of projecting flanges extendinglaterally from the inner surface, said flanges being received in saidgrooves, end surfaces on said body interconnecting the inner and outersurfaces, and an outwardly projecting tapered flap extending outwardlyform each side extremity of said strip in acute angular relation to saidflanges and engaging the outer corner edges of the panels in allpositions of the panels during movement between a folded face-to-faceposition and an extended accordion position, said flaps riding over theouter corner edges of adjacent panels when they are moved to theirextended position.

6. A folding door assembly comprising a plurality of elongated panelsdisposed in edge-to-edge relation, each side edge of each panel having alongitudinal groove therein, a hinge strip extending between adjacentside edges of the panels, said hinge strip including a body having aninner surface, a pair of projecting flanges extending laterally from theinner surface, said flanges being received in said grooves, and anoutwardly projecting flap extending outwardly from each side extremityof said strip in acute angular relation to said flanges and engaging theouter corner edges of the panels in all positions of the panels duringmovement between a folded face-to-face position and an extendedaccordion position, said flaps being flexible and riding over the outercorner edges of adjacent panels when they are moved to their extendedposition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,585,645 2/1952Freitag -206 2,912,049 11/1959 Kuyper 160199 3,004,308 10/1961 Young2069 3,032,808 5/1962 Fleming. 3,061,896 11/1962 Wahlfeld 2069 3,079,6533/1963 Cornell 2069 3,137,900 6/1964 Carbary 2069 X 3,148,419 9/1964Straus et al 2069 X FOREIGN PATENTS 612,049 1/1961 Canada.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

1. A FOLDING DOOR ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED PANELSDISPOSED IN EDGE-TO-EDGE RELATION, EACH SIDE EDGE OF EACH PANEL HAVING ALONGITUDINAL GROOVE THEREIN, A HINGE STRIP EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENTSIDE EDGES OF THE PANELS, SAID HINGE STRIP EXTENDING THROUGHOUT THELENGTH OF THE PANELS, SAID HINGE STRIP INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE WALLENGAGING THE EDGES OF THE PANELS, AND A PAIR OF FLANGES PROJECTING FROMTHE FALL IN SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR RELATION THERETO ANDTELESCOPICALLY RECEIVED IN SAID GROOVES, SAID HINGE STRIP ALSO INCLUDINGEDGE WALLS FORMED INTEGRAL WITH THE FLEXIBLE WALL AND SPACED FROM EACHOTHER, AN OUTER WALL INTERCONNECTING THE OUTER ENDS OF THE SIDE EDGEWALLS WITH THE OUTER WALL BEING DISPOSED GENERALLY IN PARALLEL SPACEDRELATION TO THE FLEXIBLE WALL THEREBY COOPERATING WITH THE EDGE FALLS TODEFINE A HOLLOW HINGE STRIP WHEREBY THE OUTER WALL WILL BOW OUTWARDLYWHEN THE PORTIONS OF THE FLEXIBLE WALL ENGAGING THE EDGES OF THE PANELSARE DISPOSED IN ACUTE ANGULAR RELATION TO EACH OTHER.